IU Southeast News
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 - [Softball]
NEW ALBANY, Ind. - The IU Southeast softball team had one of its most successful seasons a year ago, and the team is looking to go deeper into the NAIA National Tournament as the new season approaches.
The team returns five starters from last year's squad that won the KIAC conference tournament and advanced to the NAIA National Tournament.
"I feel really good about where our program is going," said IU Southeast head coach Todd Buckingham. "Having a core group of individuals that have succeeded in place for the next couple of years is only going to make success more achievable. I really think returning girls who know how to win will breed future winning."
The team returns five starters from last year's squad that won the KIAC conference tournament and advanced to the NAIA National Tournament.
"I feel really good about where our program is going," said IU Southeast head coach Todd Buckingham. "Having a core group of individuals that have succeeded in place for the next couple of years is only going to make success more achievable. I really think returning girls who know how to win will breed future winning."
Last season, the Grenadiers finished with a record of 33-15 and went 17-1 in conference play. The Grenadiers are led by junior catcher Anne Fowler (Louisville, Ky.) and junior pitcher Kayla Duke (Louisville, Ky.) the KIAC Pitcher of the Year in 2010. The veteran battery is one reason the Grenadier program has been so successful.
The key for Duke is to remain healthy, Buckingham said. She has battled back problems in the fall which caused her to miss all of fall practice.
"The injury concerns me a little but knowing the type of kid [Kayla] is I have no doubt she will overcome it and have a tremendous year," Buckingham said.
The team welcomes new freshmen pitchers to the staff including Bethany Sullivan (Terre Haute, Ind.) who Buckingham calls the best freshman prospect in the conference because of her work ethic.
Both Amber Eckstein (St. Leon, Ind.) and Jenna Swain (Zionsville, Ind.) are also newcomers to the pitching staff which adds more depth to an already strong position.
"Our pitching staff should be pretty solid this year with the addition of these freshmen," he said. "The three young guns are going to really make an impact for us throughout the season but especially in conference play."
The smart play and experience of Fowler and Duke puts Buckingham at ease.
"I have the utmost confidence in those two," he said. "Especially Fowler because the way we run our team it centers around the catching position. She makes every game a breeze for the coaching staff. She is the one calling the plays and calling the pitches. Without her it would be interesting to see what we could do.
"I am not trying to downplay myself or my staff but I think you could take anybody and coach this team to success with Anne Fowler behind the plate."
The team opens the 2011 season on February 11 against Shorter University as part of the Belhaven Sweet 16 tournament. This season, the Grenadiers will play 18 games against teams that received top-25 votes in the preseason NAIA Coaches Poll, including games against two top-15 teams: Shorter University (Ga.) and Marian University (Ind.).
The reasoning behind playing a tougher schedule is to face tougher competition to prepare for the national tournament.
"We have not been prepared for the level of competition that we see when we get to the national tournament," he said. "Last year was evident of that. I tried to make this schedule as challenging as I possibly could because if we can get out of that conference tournament I want to make sure we are battle-tested."
Buckingham's goal for the year is less about wins and losses and more about how the team plays during their games.
"My motto all year long is just going to be that the girls play with no fear, no regrets and they lay it all on the line everyday," he said. "If we can do that I am not concerned with wins, losses or records because I know if we do those things we will be in the national tournament at the end of the year. That is the end goal because if you can make it to nationals you have a chance to win it all."
The key for Duke is to remain healthy, Buckingham said. She has battled back problems in the fall which caused her to miss all of fall practice.
"The injury concerns me a little but knowing the type of kid [Kayla] is I have no doubt she will overcome it and have a tremendous year," Buckingham said.
The team welcomes new freshmen pitchers to the staff including Bethany Sullivan (Terre Haute, Ind.) who Buckingham calls the best freshman prospect in the conference because of her work ethic.
Both Amber Eckstein (St. Leon, Ind.) and Jenna Swain (Zionsville, Ind.) are also newcomers to the pitching staff which adds more depth to an already strong position.
"Our pitching staff should be pretty solid this year with the addition of these freshmen," he said. "The three young guns are going to really make an impact for us throughout the season but especially in conference play."
The smart play and experience of Fowler and Duke puts Buckingham at ease.
"I have the utmost confidence in those two," he said. "Especially Fowler because the way we run our team it centers around the catching position. She makes every game a breeze for the coaching staff. She is the one calling the plays and calling the pitches. Without her it would be interesting to see what we could do.
"I am not trying to downplay myself or my staff but I think you could take anybody and coach this team to success with Anne Fowler behind the plate."
The team opens the 2011 season on February 11 against Shorter University as part of the Belhaven Sweet 16 tournament. This season, the Grenadiers will play 18 games against teams that received top-25 votes in the preseason NAIA Coaches Poll, including games against two top-15 teams: Shorter University (Ga.) and Marian University (Ind.).
The reasoning behind playing a tougher schedule is to face tougher competition to prepare for the national tournament.
"We have not been prepared for the level of competition that we see when we get to the national tournament," he said. "Last year was evident of that. I tried to make this schedule as challenging as I possibly could because if we can get out of that conference tournament I want to make sure we are battle-tested."
Buckingham's goal for the year is less about wins and losses and more about how the team plays during their games.
"My motto all year long is just going to be that the girls play with no fear, no regrets and they lay it all on the line everyday," he said. "If we can do that I am not concerned with wins, losses or records because I know if we do those things we will be in the national tournament at the end of the year. That is the end goal because if you can make it to nationals you have a chance to win it all."
Returning Starters
Megan Sutherland - 2B (Louisville, Ky.) - started 39 games last season batting .313
Anne Fowler - C (Louisville, Ky.) - named NFCA Academic All American
Nicole Mills - SS (Louisville, Ky.) - starting left fielder last season
Kayla Duke - P (Louisville, Ky.) - KIAC Pitcher of the Year in 2010, NFCA Academic All-American, led team with 14 wins
Allie Alford - CF (Louisville, Ky.) - started 42 games, batting .320, tied for second on the team with 17 stolen bases
Anne Fowler - C (Louisville, Ky.) - named NFCA Academic All American
Nicole Mills - SS (Louisville, Ky.) - starting left fielder last season
Kayla Duke - P (Louisville, Ky.) - KIAC Pitcher of the Year in 2010, NFCA Academic All-American, led team with 14 wins
Allie Alford - CF (Louisville, Ky.) - started 42 games, batting .320, tied for second on the team with 17 stolen bases
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